DAVID Cameron has been accused of being a “chicken” over his failure to visit one of the North’s most deprived areas.

The Sunday Sun has been leading calls for the Prime Minister to visit Easington to see for himself what life is like on the coal face for poor communities as spending cuts bite and the economy stutters.

But Mr Cameron has failed to rise to the challenge, leading local MP Grahame Morris to label him a “chicken” hiding in his Downing Street “bunker”.

In a further blow to the PM, Northern Tory peer Nigel Vinson has described Mr Cameron as a “mouse” who lacks any strong sense of political direction.

The comments come after senior Conservative backbencher Tim Yeo earlier this week challenged the Prime Minister to show if he was “man or mouse” and defy critics by reversing policy on the Government’s opposition to a third runway for Heathrow - an attack brushed off by No 10.

“Despite numerous requests he just refuses to come and see some of the problems we have. He should come and see for himself.

“Is he a man, a mouse - or a chicken? Perhaps a chicken is a more apt description.”

His comments come after the Sunday Sun started our Cameron Clock in January 2011, counting each day that passes from when Mr Cameron became PM in 2010 until he visits Easington.

Northumberland peer Nigel Vinson also criticised the Prime Minister, saying: “Frankly, he is a mouse. The real problem is that he has no political philosophy. He admits he has no political philosophy. And that means he has no strong sense of direction. He is a total pragmatist and not a very good one.”

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister is committed to reducing the deficit and rebalancing the economy to create jobs and growth across the country including in towns like Easington. The Government is on the side of people who work hard and want to get on in life.”